Police: Intoxicated driver was texting before crash

RYE — A local woman was intoxicated, texting and had a minor in her vehicle when she sideswiped a utility pole, then left the scene, said Police Chief Kevin Walsh.

Elizabeth Dinan

RYE — A local woman was intoxicated, texting and had a minor in her vehicle when she sideswiped a utility pole, then left the scene, said Police Chief Kevin Walsh.

Officers were notified about the incident on April 12 at 7:41 p.m., leading to the arrest of Angela Lane, 38, of 1215 Ocean Blvd. Apt. B, Walsh said. Witnesses told police they saw a 2002 Chevrolet Trail Blazer sideswipe a pole on Wallis Road and gave officers identifying information that led to Lane, said the police chief.

She was found behind the wheel of the SUV and was transporting someone under the age of 18, Walsh said. Lane's vehicle was damaged on the passenger side and pieces of the pole she hit were found in her fender, the police chief said.

Lane was arrested on charges alleging driving while intoxicated, aggravated driving while intoxicated, conduct after an accident, endangering the welfare of a child and prohibited text messaging while operating a motor vehicle. She was released on $1,000 personal recognizance bail and scheduled to be arraigned in the Portsmouth Circuit Court Monday, but the case was continued.

Walsh credited witnesses with helping police locate Lane.

“The credit really needs to go to the public,” he said. “They notified us right away and this allows all of us to keep our neighborhoods safe.”

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